By being a landlord you are running a business, which brings with it responsibilities and legal duties.
For further information, please contact us:
Guidance during COVID-19
For the latest guidance during the pandemic please see the GOV.uk websites COVID-19 and renting section.
Landlord Responsibilities
As a landlord there is many legislation's to comply with. Before you rent your property you must ensure it is safe, free from hazards and in a good state of repair. Landlords are expected to address any repairs reported in a reasonable time frame. Where it is reported that this is not the case, Stratford-on-Avon District Council can take specific action to compel you to bring the property up to a satisfactory standard.
There are always new items of legislation, regulation, guidance and/or good practice being published that landlords and agents must adhere to ensure that they remain within the legal framework and to avoid penalties and enforcement.
The council is eager to ensure that landlords and agents providing accommodation for rent in the Stratford-on-Avon area are kept up-to-date with all significant developments that may impact them so they can operate within the law and at the highest standard.
Setting up a tenancy
At the start of a tenancy the landlord has to provide a number of documents to the tenants including;
· copy of the how to rent guide,
· Gas safety,
· EPC certificate
· Deposit protection schemes ‘prescribed information' (within 30 days of receiving).
Failure to provide these can prevent a landlord from serving a section 21 eviction notice when they choose to seek possession of the property back. Some useful guides are available to download. Many landlords choose to use a letting agent to let and set up the tenancy on their behalf.
Smoke and Carbon Dioxide Alarms
As of 1st October 2015 all private rented properties must have a minimum of one smoke alarm on every storey of the property and carbon monoxide alarms are required in any properties that burn solid fuels. You can be fined up to £5,000 if this is not the case. Please see the relevant Statement of Principles.
Landlord Forum
Warwick and Stratford District councils work together to run a landlord forum creating great networking opportunities for landlords who operate in these areas. The forum allows landlords, agents and the council to come together to receive free seminars on current legal requirements, local issues and discusses challenges of renting in the private sector.
Over the last few years lots of new legislation has been brought in, attending the landlord forum is the ideal opportunity to be kept up to date with all relevant Housing legislation. If you would like to find out more about attending the landlord forum please contact us on details below.
The latest Landlords Forum was held on 9 October – and contained some useful information. A copy of the presentation is available until 31 October only.
Landlord Accreditation
The council recommends that landlords and letting agents undertake training such as the Midland Landlord Accreditation Scheme (MLAS).
